RRI.CO.ID, Merauke - The Merauke Regency Administration in South Papua Province has officially broken ground on a new subsidized housing development in the Tujuh Wali Wali area of Kuprik District, aimed at decentralizing urban density and provide dignified living standards.

The project, named the YBG Housing Complex (after Regent Yoseph Bladib Gebze), represents a key local initiative to support the central government’s national housing programs.

On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Regent Yoseph Bladib Gebze laid the first foundation stone for the initial 39 units of what will eventually be a 100-unit residential community specifically designed for low-income earners.

Regent Yoseph emphasized that the availability of affordable housing in Merauke remains critically limited. By establishing new residential pockets outside the city center, the government aims to prevent overpopulation in existing neighborhoods while preparing for a projected population surge over the next decade.

“With new housing, we will no longer reside in one extremely crowded place. We must spread out so there are new areas concentrated for resident settlements,” Yoseph said during the ceremony, as quoted by Infopublik.id.

The Regent projected that within 15 years, the city of Merauke will face high population density, making it essential to prepare infrastructure in outlying districts now. He noted that priority for these homes will be given to those in the "decile 5 and below" economic bracket, those who truly need government support to own a home.

The developer of the project, Irna Sulistiyani, explained that the construction would be executed in two phases. The first phase consists of 39 Type 36 units, each built on 130 square meters of land. The remaining 61 units will follow in the second phase, all featuring permanent structural specifications.

To ensure accessibility, the project offers a Zero Down Payment (DP) scheme with low monthly installments. “The community can own these houses with zero down payment and low installments,” Irna clarified.

She added that naming the complex "YBG" was a gesture of appreciation for the Regent's unwavering support for public housing programs. The groundbreaking ceremony was marked by a formal handover of the Building Construction Permit (SIMBG) documents from the local administartion to the developer, ensuring that the project meets all legal and safety standards from day one.

This development is part of a broader synergy between the Merauke Regency, the provincial administration, and private partners to fulfill the President’s mandate of providing "livable homes" for every Indonesian citizen. ***